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Iraqi Forces Arrest ISIS Members In New Security Campaign

Security forces in Iraq. (AFP file photo)
Security forces in Iraq. (AFP file photo)
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Iraqi Forces Arrest ISIS Members In New Security Campaign

Security forces in Iraq. (AFP file photo)
Security forces in Iraq. (AFP file photo)

Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Forces continue to chase ISIS members in the north of Iraq staring from Kirkuk, which witnessed on Saturday a massacre that killed dozens from the federal police.

Major General Yahya Rasool, the spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, said that Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Forces are achieving victories in eradicating ISIS in the country.

A total of eight terrorists were arrested in various regions upon accurate intelligence information.

Moreover, Rasool said anti-terror unit snipers took out some of the militants in three provinces including Kirkuk.

The operation came after a deadly ISIS attack on a federal police outpost south of Kirkuk on Sunday, which left 13 members of security forces dead and wounded dozens.

Also, Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Inad arrived in Kirkuk on Wednesday heading a high-level security delegation following the attack to be briefed on current security measures, state media reported.

The delegation included Defense Minister, Army Chief of Staff, military adviser to the prime minister and deputy of joint operations, and others.

Member of Iraq's Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee Abdul-Khaleq al-Azzawi considered the developments in Rashad in Kirkuk as a blatant security violation.

He further confirmed that investigative committees have been formed to look into this.

Azzawi assured that it is unlikely that a similar massacre could occur in Diyala because the nature of security challenges is different there. Moreover, the governate underwent eight redeployment operations in the tensed areas.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Christian Ritscher of Germany as the Special Adviser and Head of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by ISIS in Iraq.

The team was established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2379 (2017), to support domestic efforts to hold ISIS accountable by collecting, preserving, and storing evidence in Iraq of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed by ISIS in Iraq.

Ritscher will succeed Karim Asad Ahmad Khan of the United Kingdom, who was the first Special Adviser of UNITAD.

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Arab World

Lebanese President Faces Domestic, Foreign Challenges

Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
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Lebanese President Faces Domestic, Foreign Challenges

Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS

The election of a new president in Lebanon does not mean the country has come out of the economic and political crises which have gutted it for years. Yet Thursday’s vote marks the beginning of a new phase that carries many challenges for the president and the upcoming government.

It is Joseph Aoun’s responsibility now to appoint a prime minister following binding parliamentary consultations and then form the Cabinet together with the PM.

According to observers, Aoun’s term should carry a roadmap to salvage the country, and a clear plan to address crises and domestic and foreign challenges.

However, there is no magic wand to solve Lebanon’s entire crises.

Instead, Aoun needs a unified working team that should draft a clear ministerial statement that reflects the President’s inaugural speech and his pledge of a “new era” for Lebanon.

“The president's speech constitutes a detailed program for governance. However, his program needs a cabinet capable of implementing it,” former Minister Ibrahim Najjar told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Najjar described the new President as an honest, clean and courageous Lebanese man.

“His election must be followed by the formation of a bold cabinet with new faces, capable of working and making achievements,” he said.

“The Lebanese people expect President Aoun to change the quota-based mentality of politicians. They hope his term will help remove old political figures, who are rooted in the Lebanese quagmire,” the former minister noted.

Former MP Fares Souaid told Asharq Al-Awsat that Aoun’s first task is to implement the Constitution and the National Accord document.

“In the early 1990s, the Constitution was no longer being implemented due to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. In 2005, the Constitution was again ignored because of Iranian arms.”

Therefore, Soueid said, the Lebanese eagerly expect this new era to constitute a real opportunity for the implementation of both documents.

For years, Lebanon has failed to properly implement its Constitution and UN resolutions, mainly because some political parties had considered their implementation as “a target against their so-called resistance.”

“With the election of President Joseph Aoun, Lebanon has opened a blank page that could meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people, and write a new chapter in the country’s history,” Najjar said.

According to Soueid, Aoun has a task to return Lebanon to its Arab identity. “This is slowly beginning to show through the decline of Iranian influence in the region,” he said.

Also, Soueid said, the new President should mend Lebanon’s relations with the international community by implementing all UN resolutions.

Addressing Parliament and Lebanese people with an acceptance speech, Aoun on Thursday vowed that the Lebanese authorities will have the monopoly on arms and will be committed to a strong state that will extend its sovereignty over the entire territory.

“This is in line with UN resolutions, which if implemented, will bring Lebanon back to the Arab and international scene,” Soueid said.